14:40 Newcastle

Saturday 15 December 2018

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:20

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 14:44 | Winning time: 2m 46.75s

(6)

Zealous³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: D C Costello| T: A C Whillans| OR: 66

11/2

Failed to build on his best effort of the season when he was 2nd at Doncaster on his penultimate start off a 3lb lower mark. That was on good going though and the testing conditions last time may not have suited; down in grade and back on the AW.

Form: 354726

(10)

Para Mio^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: S Durack| OR: 64| BF

11/10

Ruined his chance on his penultimate start (1m) with an ultra-slow start but left the impression that there was more to come off this mark. Well backed and ran a similar race last time over 2f further; remains of interest especially over further.

Form: 49-8652

(7)

Hussar Ballad³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 58| D

9/1

Yet to win here (0-9) and is 0-3 over C&D (433) and followed a good run over C&D in October with a poor one over 2f shorter. Has run two moderate races since; has failed to win for over a year now and others appeal more.

Form: 453050

(9)

Nearly There^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: W Storey| OR: 54

15/2

Has run his two best races here over this trip (3rd both times) on his last two starts although he did have the run of the race last time from the front. That race contained three who run in division one plus a well beaten Highwayman; respected again

Form: 845933

(2)

Highwayman^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 52| C

14/1

His win here came over 1m although he does stay this trip his best form is at much shorter and he was well beaten on his last start over C&D (Nearly There 3rd). Was left poorly placed last time in his defence but looks one to take on over this C&D.

Form: 620439

(1)

Someone Exciting¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: F Norton| T: D Thompson| OR: 49

33/1

Suited by a strong gallop when winning over 6f at Redcar in August she now steps up to 1m4f for the first (1m the furthest she has been before). Has run poorly of late and looked less than an easy ride and hard to see her staying this trip.

Form: 802790

(3)

Fiosrach^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: James Moffatt| OR: 47

80/1

Better known for his hurdling exploits he had a rare run on the Flat last time out but cut very little ice over C&D when finishing last of 10. He was fit from hurdling so it's hard to find any excuses and looks best left alone now.

Form: 00036/0

(4)

Thecornishbarron^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: Josephine Gordon| T: B Ellison| OR: 45

7/2

On a losing run that stretches back to July 2016 but appears to have attracted more attention in the market since moving to this yard; fallen to a basement mark. Should be suited by a return to further and one monitor in the betting again.

Form: 843045

(5)

Midas Maggie²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: K T O'Neill| T: P A Kirby| OR: 47

20/1

Modest maiden who only cost £1,800 out of the Charles Hills yard and immediately upped in trip shaped as if she needed the run on her initial start for this yard. Unable to sustain her effort there she may need more time yet.

Form: 59-7808

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

(8)

Good Man²³

Weight: 8-10| Age: 5

T: Karen McLintock J: Jason Hart

Forecasts

Para Mio (11/10), Thecornishbarron (7/2), Zealous (11/2), Good Man (11/2), Nearly There (15/2), Hussar Ballad (9/1), Highwayman (14/1), Midas Maggie (20/1), Someone Exciting (33/1), Fiosrach (80/1)

The second division of the 1m4f handicap and supporters of Nearly There will be looking for positive form signals from the first division where he finished 3rd to a few that run in that section last time out. Good Man will be one of the fresher horses in this but despite his love for this track he does have to prove he can win a race. Zealous is one to note back on this surface and eased in grade while Thecornishbarron needs monitoring in the betting. PARA MIO is the pick of these though having shaped well on his last two starts without looking to have had too much luck in-running. This trip will suit and the handicapper has done him a favour leaving him on the same mark.